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The Arcade’s hidden gem
Sometimes, Don Beohner feels like he has to wave his hands over his head to get out the message, “I’m still here!” Beohner owns Copacetic, a lively jewelry and gift store on the second floor of The Arcade, a downtown Providence building, circa 1828, that is said to be America’s oldest enclosed shopping mall.
As The Arcade goes through a drawn-out change, Beohner is the last remaining store on the second floor. The first floor has restaurants.
Nonprofit wants to revive downtown as shopping hub
Chester Blair, 57, remembers when Nashville’s downtown was a place to be seen. Brightly lit stores selling men’s suits and other merchandise lined Fourth and Fifth avenues.
“Downtown used to be a hub. It was a place to come before there were malls. I kind of miss it,” Blair said, as he watched over customers inside the post office at the Arcade, one of the few remaining downtown shopping outposts, at least during daylight hours.
Now, a nonprofit group that represents downtown landowners and shopkeepers wants to make the city’s center a retail destination again.
Sad, self-absorbed shoppers spend more
Boston – If you’re sad and shopping, watch your wallet: A new study shows people’s spending judgment goes out the window when they’re down, especially if they’re a bit self-absorbed.
Study participants who watched a sadness-inducing video clip offered to pay nearly four times as much money to buy a water bottle than a group that watched an emotionally neutral clip.
The so-called “misery is not miserly” phenomenon is well-known to psychologists, advertisers and personal shoppers alike, and has been documented in a similar study in 2004.
The new study released Friday by researchers from
Leslie Nathan-Street, Giftware and Home Accents Industry Veteran Joins Gift and Home Channel.com as New President to Lead Growth
NEW YORK, NY – Leslie Nathan-Street has been named President of the recently launched Gift & Home Channel, Leslie brings to the Gift & Home Channel over 21 years of experience in the giftware and home accents industry. Her deep experience includes general management, trade show management, sales development, marketing, and relationship management with all stakeholders across the giftware andhome accents industry.
Giftcraft Celebrates World Headquarters Grand Opening
Brampton, Ontario – Hundreds of retailers and members of the gift and home decor industry celebrated the Grand Opening of Giftcraft’s new corporate headquarters on Jan. 26. The gala event, held prior to CGTA Show week, featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially dedicate the new complex and commemorate Giftcraft’s investment in its future as a leader in the gift industry.
The highlight of the new headquarters building is the company’s newly designed 17,000 square-foot showroom, the final stage in Giftcraft’s expansion and relocation.
Dallas Market Center Announces Best of Show Awards
Dallas, TX – – Dallas Market Center, the world’s largest wholesale merchandising resource, recently announced the winners of the 2008 January Total Home & Gift Market Best of Show Awards. Recipients were recognized during the recent market and were judged by industry and visual/design experts. Best of Show judging takes place twice a year during the January and June Total Home & Gift Markets.
Dicksons Offers Larry Weingartner’s Photography
Dicksons, Inc. has introduced a collection of products featuring Larry Weingartner’s Calming the Storm art print. Larry has been blessed with a gift of artistic photography and an eye to see and capture the beauty of God’s creation for others to enjoy. The image features Christ with outstretched arms in the front of a boat with clouds and a beautiful sunset as background.
At careers’ end, prospects blossom in flower, gift shop
Friends Becky Morales and Karen Amato had benefits, good wages and decades of experience at their jobs when they were laid off when their respective companies went under.
The women, who had met years before when their children were in sports together, decided that they were ready to try something new with their careers.
“At this age, it’s not that easy to go out and get a job,” Amato said.
Stores post disappointing January sales
New York – Here’s a sign of how shaky the economy has become: Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT) says its shoppers are redeeming their holiday gift cards for basic items — pasta sauce, diapers, laundry detergent — instead of iPods or DVDs.
Merchants had hoped shoppers armed with gift cards would provide a lift after a dismal holiday shopping season — partly because shoppers tend to spend even more than the value of the card.
“Euros Accepted” signs pop up in New York City
New York – In the latest example that the U.S. dollar just ain’t what it used to be, some shops in New York City have begun accepting euros and other foreign currency as payment for merchandise.
“We had decided that money is money and we’ll take it and just do the exchange whenever we can with our bank,” Robert Chu, owner of East Village Wines, told Reuters television.
The increasingly weak U.S.
GIFT SHOP Magazine Announces Winner of January Retail Forum Giveaway
Hanover, Mass. – GIFT SHOP magazine is happy to announce that Scarlet Morgan, co-owner of the Trendy Trunk in Hendersonville, TN, is the winner of GIFT SHOP Forum’s January raffle.
Extracts Presents Best New Product Awards
New York, NY – Danielle and Company was awarded “Best of Show” yesterday in the Best New Product Awards competition at EX*TRACTS: New discoveries in beauty and wellness. Awards also were presented in five product-specific categories (Bath & Body, Beauty Accessory, Cosmetic & Fragrance, Natural/Organic and Packaging), with winners and finalists selected by a panel of trade editors.
New York Home Textiles Market Week Announces Best New Product Winners for Winter 2008
New York, NY – Shades of India was awarded “Best of Market” yesterday in the New York Home Textiles Market Week Best New Product Awards competition. Awards also were presented in four product-specific categories (Bed, Bath, Dining and Home Accessories) to winners and finalists selected by a prestigious panel of trade and consumer editors.
Accent on Design Exhibitors Honored
New York, NY – Superlative product design was recognized yesterday at the New York International Gift Fair, where four exhibitors in the juried Accent on Design division were honored for design creativity and ingenuity. Accent on Design runs through Wednesday, February 6, at New York City’s Jacob K.
Hawley Street is home to a new arts, crafts and antique shop
Kathy Patzer’s passion for color and art drove her to open a new gift and antique shop in Mundelein.
Patzer opened Hawley Street Shoppe at 39 E. Hawley St. on Dec. 1. It takes the place of A Rare Find, a custom furniture business that moved to Libertyville.
The new Mundelein business features antiques, glass, yarn, fine art and more. Knitting classes will be kicking off soon.
Patzer’s son, Charlie, makes the hand-blown glass sold at the shop.
Prepping for the big day
For Karen Medlin, owner of Westloop Floral, Valentine’s Day means lots of late nights, last-minute phone orders, hundreds of bouquets and plenty of sticky fingers from the store’s homemade fudge.
It also means that business is good.
“It’s crazy but fun,” Medlin said with a chuckle. “You just try to cut down on the chaos as much as possible. When you’re in a small business, you do everything you can to get things done. But as the day gets closer, the nights get longer.
Rosy Rings Introduces Spring/Summer 2008 Collection of Handmade Candles, New Reed Diffusers and Home Fragrances at NYIGF
Denver, Colo. – Rosy Rings (http://www.rosyrings.com), a maker of fine hand-poured candles, is pleased to introduce its latest collection of home fragrances. Unveiling on retail shelves this spring, the line includes the company’s popular botanical candles, jar candles, bagged botanicals and home fragrance oils. In addition, Rosy Rings is premiering its new reed diffusers, a modern and elegant take on the company’s tried and true fragrances.
Prominent Brands Return to National Stationery Show
White Plains, NY – The bold new look, high energy and rebounding participation that defined the 2007 National Stationery Show continues to generate buzz, drawing several prestigious companies back to the market after an absence. Colorbok, Mrs. Grossman’s Paper Company, Roger La Borde, The Flavia Company and Two’s Company, among others, have confirmed their participation, setting the stage for a robust 2008 market, May 18-21, at New York City’s Jacob K.
Spin-off point-of-sale system proves it
Springdale, Pennsylvania – If you’re an avid golfer, chances are you’ve heard of Club Prophet Systems or their flagship software, ProShopKeeper. But, chances are you haven’t heard of their newest venture and sister company, POS Prophet Systems (PPS).
Founded by Club Prophet’s management team, PPS specializes in point-of-sale and E-commerce software for small businesses. The software consists of customizable ala-cart modules for point-of-sale, inventory, customer management, billing/AR, marketing tools, a web store, and integrated credit card processing.
Offering up variety
Ontario — The gift shop at the Four Rivers Cultural Center is a place to find information about different cultures and diversity, but it’s also a place to find that special gift or to order those unique items needed in large events or celebrations, such as 100 pairs of chopsticks for a wedding. Overseeing the store to make sure this all happens is Shawn Maggard, who has been at the center for almost three years.
Besides managing the gift shop, Maggard is also the bookkeeper at the center.
“I started in retail with Mr.